The support continues! Thanks guys- especially outlawqueenbey44 because you love the ship StableQueen, but you're still willing to read! Here, have a handful of awesome points :D *gives handful of awesome points*

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Chapter 4

Regina groaned weakly, vaguely feeling herself being carried in someone's arms. It was definitely a male. She freaked for a moment in her disorientated haze, trying- and failing to escape- before she realised; this wasn't Daniel, these arms were gentle, trying not to cause her any pain. Regina slowly opened her eyes, vision doubled for a few seconds. Her gaze landed on the man carrying her. She didn't recognise him...

He placed her on a bed, making sure that she didn't land painfully or uncomfortable. Blue eyes found brown, and he shot her a small smile.

"You're awake" His voice was accented, definitely British. Regina attempted to move, but was stopped by the stranger.

"Don't. Your sister will kill me if I let you move. She's coming back in a minute" He informed her, sitting next to the bed.

"Who...Who are you?" She mumbled, trying to focus her eyes.

"The name's Robin, Robin Locksley" Robin introduced. He grabbed a cloth, dipping it in the bowl of warm water Zelena had given him. He brought it to the cut on her cheek. Regina winced, hissing slightly.

"Sorry" Robin apologised quickly, pulling back.

"N-no..It-It's fine.." Regina whispered. She gave him a feeble smile, wincing again as it pulled at the cut on her lip. Robin continued, being extremely gentle. The door opened, and in came a worried Zelena, hurrying to sit next to her sister.

"What...How..." The redhead stammered, still shocked at the state of her younger sibling.

"I- ah!" Regina tightened her jaw as Robin applied the antiseptic. He apologised again, trying to press lightly on the cuts. Zelena simply stayed by Regina the whole time, mentally swearing to get revenge on whoever did this to her little sister.

"Where's...Henry..?"

"Don't worry, I put him into one of the rooms, Regina. He's safe. Now, sleep."

Robin finished up, applying bandages and plasters to anywhere needed.

"I...I don't..." Regina bit her lip. "Zel...I..I can't sleep...I wont be able to.."

"Shh, I'll stay as long as you need me to. We'll talk about this in the morning, when you've rested" Zelena squeezed Regina's hand. Robin stood.

"I'll leave you two. Thanks for inviting me over, Zelena. It was nice meeting you, Regina, though obviously, I would have preferred it to be under nicer circumstances" He nodded to them both, before excusing himself. Once he was gone, Regina spoke again.

"Can...Can you bring Henry in? I-I..."

"Of course" Within moments, Zelena had returned, carrying the slumbering five year old. She placed him down next to Regina, who sat up slightly. The brunette stroked her son's hair, pressing a kiss to his forehead.

"We're safe" She whispered. It didn't go unnoticed by Zelena, who frowned slightly.

~0~

True to her word, Zelena stayed. It was an hour or two before Regina finally fell asleep, curled on her side. The redhead kissed her sister's hair.

"Whoever did this to you will get what's coming to them, sis" She assured quietly, walking to the door. She switched off the light, leaving Regina to sleep. Though she was finally asleep, it was not a pleasant one. Not at all.

She sat quietly on the end of the bed, hands placed politely on her lap, face a cover of sadness, eyes closed as her mother ploughed on.

"Stupid girl! You could have been something, that future I planned for you! And instead you slack! Always slacking with you, isn't it? A B-!"

"Mother..."

"Silence! I didn't ask you to speak! How dare you think that this grade is ok! You've embarrassed me, foolish girl"

"I'm sorry, Mother... I'll try harder.. I-I'll study more, and-and.."

"Of course you will! And no more prancing around with that boy, Daniel"

"But-"

"No buts! Until you start behaving like you've been taught, no privileges. I was kind to let you out to meet him, but it seems he's distracted you from your studies"

"Mother, please!"

"No! That's enough, Regina. Now, sort yourself out. We have a visitor." Cora Mills slammed out of the room. Regina allowed the tears to fall, wiping them away with the back of her hand.

~0~

Regina woke, sighing. If she had known that Daniel would turn out like he did, she would've listened to her mother those years ago...but at the time, he was different. They'd met in the afterschool Study Group in the school library...

~0~

Placing her bag by a random chair, the brunette walked to a shelf of books, scanning through them. Her mother would kill her if she didn't get at least an A on this test. As she turned the corner to the next row, she collided straight into another student. He caught her arm as she stumbled back, smiling.

"Sorry about that, I should've been looking.." Regina bit her lip, looking down.

"It was my fault, don't worry" Daniel gave her a crooked smile, one that made her heart flutter slightly. "I'm Daniel, Daniel Coulter"

"I'm-"

"Regina Mills" He finished.

"E-Excuse me? How did you..."

"Come on, everyone knows who you are. You always get A+ or A*s. Annnd you're a Mills"

Regina sighed, scratching her wrist awkwardly. She winced as she pressed down on a bruise. Daniel frowned.

"You ok? Did I say something?"

"N-No...I just...it's nothing.."

Daniel, sensing there was something bothering her, decided to change the subject.

"Can I interest you in a study partner?" He offered with a grin.

"I..Sure" Regina smiled.

~0~

She'd fallen for him. Hard. And he'd made her happy, for a while. For the while he was a good person.. Those were the days..

When he'd laced their fingers together in the middle of the street, swinging their arms, or when he would mess around in the library when they were supposed to be studying, hiding the books, mixing them in the wrong places, skidding round corners, and hiding from the librarian. Those were the times...

Back then everything had been fine.

Back then she was happy.

A/N I wanted to give a little backstory to how she and Daniel met. There'll be more to come! As per usual, I will request you review. Comment any questions, suggestions, ideas, likes/dislikes you have about the story! Thanks for reading!